Making the Most of Mother's Day

To be sure that Mother's Day goes beyond the flowers and the gift cards, I think we need to be sure that we let our moms know how much she means to us all year long. Some of us are better at Hallmark sentiments than others. Maybe we prefer to write it rather than say it. Or maybe it's easier to show it than say it so we help mom out with something. No matter what--the point is that she knows it.

So when the flower emails stop sending their reminders, let's remember on our own that we need to let mom know she is the best and that she did her best. As any of us that are moms well know--it's the hardest job we'll ever do. I keep reminding my kids that the day will come when, "You'll think I'm a goddess!" I remember when that happened for me with my mom--in fact, saint would be a better word when in retrospect I realized what I had put her through.

So here's to you Mom--though I know you won't read this blog post--and to all the other moms out there. Let's remember to sing our moms' praises today and everyday and look forward to the day when our own kids will do that for us!

Happy Mother's Day!

DIY doesn't have to mean GIA

No matter if you're getting married or throwing a party, you probably have what it takes do much of the pre-planning by yourself. With so many great tools on the internet, unless you really don't enjoy preparing for an event--which you certainly can outsource--there are tools, tips and templates to streamline your event from start to finish.

But what about the day of your event? Do you still want to be dealing with the details as the guests are walking through the door? Do you want to be busy paying out vendors, serving all day, and then cleaning it all up in the end? Wouldn't you rather feel like a guest at your own party?

The way to keep things affordable but be sure that they're still memorable and stress-free is to call in help on the day of your event. You can still do-it-yourself but you won't have to go-it-alone.

Enjoy Your Day!

In times like these, cutting costs is so important. There are so many ways to widdle down the bottom line of your wedding budget. More brides are taking a DIY approach on the front end of their celebration and then letting a wedding planner take care of the details for day of coordination.

You may have the ability to do all of your pre-wedding planning on your own or with help of family and friends, but on the day of your wedding handing the reins over to a planner can ensure that you and your family enjoy your wedding day.

So be sure to recruit your wedding planning team, stay organized, and then call in your wedding coordinator so that the only thing your focusing on that day is your milestone celebration of getting married.

Enjoying the Wedding Planning Journey not just the Wedding Day Destination

As I talk to brides during the process of wedding planning,I try to remind them to truly enjoy the journey of the planning not just the destination of the event.

There are so many details to tend to and it's easy to get caught up in the check lists and to do lists. But this is all part of this wonderful chapter of your life. Photos, dream boards, journal entries and blog posts can be wonderful ways to chronicle the journey as you head toward your amazing day!

So whether you have a year or a month to work on planning and coordinating your wedding, let it be a time that you embrace and enjoy as yet-to-be marrieds. This will bring a chapter of your life to a close and a whole new one will begin. Enter in to this beautiful rite of passage with reflection and celebration in this present moment as well deep appreciation for one another and the adventure you are about to embark on together.

Wishing you the best every step of the way,

Donna